Y Chromosome Loss in Childhood Leukaemias

Abstract

During the past 3 1/2 yr cytogenetic studies have been performed on all children with leukemia prior to treatment. Loss of the Y chromosome documented by chromosome banding techniques, was observed in bone marrow blast cells, from 2 of 11 consecutive male children. One patient had acute myeloblastic leukemia of t(8;21) type. The other patient was diagnosed as acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Y loss may occur in childhood leukemias and may not necessarily be related to an aging process. Y loss can occur as a sole abnormality in non-myeloid leukemia.